Overview
Sweetwater Wind 5 Substation is an operational electrical substation in Texas, United States, owned by Leeward Renewable Energy. It operates at 345 kV, supporting wind energy transmission.
Sweetwater Wind 5 Substation is an operational electrical substation located in Texas, United States, owned and operated by Leeward Renewable Energy. The facility operates at a voltage of 345 kV, classifying it as a high-voltage substation critical for transmitting power from renewable energy sources to the grid. The substation is part of the Sweetwater Wind complex, which integrates wind-generated electricity into the broader transmission network. In the United States, such facilities are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and must comply with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards to ensure grid stability and security. As a key node in the wind energy infrastructure, this substation facilitates the delivery of clean power to the regional grid, supporting Texas's growing renewable energy portfolio. Its location in a rural area with high wind resource potential underscores its role in enabling sustainable energy generation and reducing carbon emissions.
Environmental context
The substation is situated in a semi-arid region of west-central Texas, characterized by grasslands and agricultural land. The area experiences strong and consistent winds, making it ideal for wind energy generation. The facility's operation supports the displacement of fossil fuel-based electricity, contributing to local air quality improvements and greenhouse gas reduction. Its high-voltage design minimizes transmission losses over long distances to load centers.
Frequently asked questions
Sweetwater Wind 5 Substation is located in Texas, United States, near the city of Sweetwater in Nolan County. Its coordinates are approximately 32.242063 N, -100.487646 W.
Sweetwater Wind 5 Substation operates at a voltage of 345 kV, which is a high-voltage level used for bulk power transmission from wind farms to the electrical grid.
The substation is owned and operated by Leeward Renewable Energy, a company that develops and manages renewable energy projects across the United States.
As part of the US electrical infrastructure, this substation must comply with NERC reliability standards and FERC regulations for transmission-level assets, ensuring grid stability and security.
Sweetwater Wind 5 Substation collects electricity from wind turbines and steps it up to 345 kV for efficient long-distance transmission, enabling the integration of wind power into the regional grid and supporting clean energy goals.